Rumors spread by irresponsible people: Hartono
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information R. Hartono said yesterday rumors about the death of the country's richest tycoon Soedono Salim on Friday, which sparked a huge rush on his Bank Central Asia (BCA), were spread by irresponsible people seeking to disrupt national stability.
The minister said he expected the national press, including the print and electronic media, to take into account their "social responsibility" before publishing any news, especially on sensitive issues.
He said his ministry would work closely with other government agencies to stop irresponsible rumors.
"It is ordinary people who suffer the most from the rumors (on Salim's death)... We must stay alert to this trend," Hartono said before chairing a session of the People's Consultative Assembly's working committee yesterday.
Separately, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto said yesterday the best way to restore public confidence in the government was by providing a comprehensive explanation when rumors spread in society.
"As long as the explanation fails to satisfy them, they will continue to be confused. Therefore, it is important to give them accurate and widespread information," Wiranto said.
BCA depositors rushed the bank branches and automated teller machines (ATMs) in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra, Friday after they heard a rumor that the government had decided to liquidate the bank.
The government decided to close 16 private banks on Nov. 1 as part of its efforts to salvage the ailing economy.
Depositors panicked after they heard a rumor that Salim, also known as Liem Sioe Liong, had died. Liem Sioe Liong is the founder and chairman of the giant Salim Group.
"The rumor was coincidentally related with money which easily triggered panic because people wanted to get their money back," Wiranto noted.
The Salim Group is BCA's majority shareholder. Other owners include President Soeharto's daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and son Sigit Harjojudanto.
Liem's appearance on TV Friday night helped assure depositors, although they still flocked to bank branches Saturday.
"We are all obliged, not only the Armed Forces (ABRI), to anticipate all possible rumors in the future because they may cause public anxiety," Wiranto said.
Hartono, Wiranto's predecessor, reminded the press about its obligations to maintain national stability and not just think about their own interests.
"Why did you instantly believe such rumors? The logic is simple... it is impossible such a bad thing (liquidation) would happen with a big bank like BCA," Hartono said.
Separately, Deputy House Speaker Syarwan Hamid suggested that the government set up a media center to dispatch information to the public. He said this would counter rumors as soon as possible.
"The important thing to stop rumors is to give the public clear information backed by authentic data," Syarwan told journalists.
He suggested that some people might have started the rumors about Salim's death to test national stability prior to the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly next March.
A legal expert, Muladi, said disseminating rumors is a crime which carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment, according to the Criminal Code.
"But it's very difficult to chase down the criminal, not to mention to collect the evidence," said Muladi, who is also a member of the Assembly. (amd/prb)